The countdown is on till the long-awaited day when the bounce of a tennis ball and slam of a racquet will be heard from Omokoroa's very own tennis courts.

Omokoroa Community Tennis Club's oldest member Jimmy Carson and club secretary Judy Sampson at the planting day. Photo: Supplied.

Last week volunteers channelled their green thumbs and got to work planting natives on the banks around the courts, ahead of a predicted late May completion date.

It's been a long journey for the courts' ambassadors, a group of Omokoroa Community Tennis Club members, who two years ago pitched the idea to Western Bay of Plenty District Council.

"We decided after numerous injuries that we should try to get tennis courts built with a safe surface," says club secretary Judy Sampson.

"The original steering committee of eight went out to the community to look for support. In four days we collected over 200 signatures."

The two courts are the result of a collaboration between the Omokoroa community, council staff, councillors, Omokoroa Community Board, and TECT Trust.

Council has provided the majority of funding for the project. A grant from the TECT Trust will allow for flood lighting and an all-weather surface.

More than club 100 members, ranging from six to 88-years-old, are now anxiously awaiting the opening day.

Among them will be the club's two oldest members, 88-year-old Jimmy Carson and 81-year-old Phyl Sewell who will be the first to play on the courts.

"As the only members left from the original group who started playing at the Omokoroa school some 20 years ago it is appropriate that these two be the first to play on the completed courts," says Judy.

"Seeing our oldest members playing tennis without the fear of having a bad fall with the subsequent injuries is what I am most looking forward to."

Next week the asphalt will be laid, and the all-weather surface and the light poles being installed the following week. Plans for a further two courts are also underway.

"We are all pleased at how the project is coming along, obviously with the enthusiasm of our group we would have liked to have had the courts finished a month ago," says Judy.

"But good things are worth waiting for."

Weather permitting; the sound of a good match of tennis will ring out on May 20.

An official opening is scheduled for late June.